Cameroonian star carries Philadelphia
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 18.03.23. | 10:28
Embiid dominant as Sixers cruise to seventh straight win
Joel Embiid maintained his dominant scoring streak as the Philadelphia 76ers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 121-82 thrashing of the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.
Embiid, one of the front-runners for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award, rattled in another 38 points during a one-sided road victory. The Sixers star is averaging 35 points a game in March and has not scored fewer than 31 in eight games this month.
Embiid's latest tally came on 16-of-21 shooting, with 13 rebounds and five assists. James Harden had a rare off-night with only 11 points after shooting 4-of-15 from the field, but the Sixers still had far too much firepower and defensive savvy for a Charlotte team that is second from the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Tobias Harris added 18 points while Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 13. Despite the one-sided nature of the win, Sixers coach Doc Rivers was pleased that his team emerged with a clean bill of health.
Embiid during the Sixers' seven-game winning streak:
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 18, 2023
38 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST
36 PTS, 18 REB, 3 AST
34 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST
39 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST
39 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST
42 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
31 PTS, 6 REB, 10 AST pic.twitter.com/Kf07aWZN1K
Philadelphia improved to 47-22 with the win and are third in the East, behind leaders Milwaukee (50-20) and Boston (49-22). Boston's revival continued with a 126-112 win on the road over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 34 points, while Jaylen Brown added 27. Damian Lillard poured in 41 points in Portland's losing effort.
In other games Friday, Maxi Kleber nailed a 27-foot buzzer-beater as the Dallas Mavericks put a dent in the Los Angeles Lakers' postseason charge to snatch a sensational 111-110 road victory. Kyrie Irving scored 38 points -- and provided the late assist for Kleber -- to set up a thrilling win for Dallas. Irving's tally included 13 in the fourth quarter as Dallas overturned a late five-point deficit to claim the win.
The defeat dropped the Lakers to 10th in the Western Conference with a 34-37 record. Dallas meanwhile moved up to the sixth spot. Elsewhere Friday, Golden State's poor road form continued with a 127-119 defeat at Atlanta, with Trae Young leading the Hawks' scoring with 25 points.
Embiid with a WILD shot 😮 pic.twitter.com/AsVAOE2w03
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2023
With the Warriors missing the defensive presence of the suspended Draymond Green, the reigning NBA champions dropped their 10th straight game on the road. The Warriors are now 36-35 overall and sixth in a congested Western Conference table.
Steph Curry led the Warriors scorers with 31 points, and six Golden State players finished in double figures.
In Chicago, DeMar DeRozan erupted for 49 points as the Bulls completed a 139-131 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves' defeat was compounded by a worrying injury to star Anthony Edwards, who yelled in pain after an awkward landing on his right foot in the first quarter. Edwards left the game and did not return before appearing on the bench late on wearing a protective boot.
NBA
Saturday
20.00: (2.25) New York (12.5) Denver (1.80)
Sunday
01.55: (1.35) Toronto (14.0) Minnesota (3.70)
01.55: (3.35) Indiana (14.0) Philadelphia (1.40)
03.00: (2.50) Chicago (13.0) Miami (1.65)
03.00: (2.30) Washington (12.5) Sacramento (1.75)
04.00: (3.35) Utah (14.0) Boston (1.40)
***odds are subject to change
